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Part First. 



Containing a Collection of Sacred Poems, H.vnms, 
Acrostics, Etc. 



Written by K. L. PEKJvlXS. 
(Copyrighted April 1896.) 



^UV T 1 



1 Is? a A 



PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, 

Florida Seiitiiit') Piihlishing Co. 

IS'.K). 



X\<\-V^ 







YOURS TRULY, 

R. L. PERKINS. 



"^U^. 



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PREFACE. 

Tlie writer of these poems was horn near 
Wilmington, N. C, m 18G3. His parents were 
subjects of servitude. His father a barrel- 
maker, and his motiier a seamstress by trade. 
They could read common ])rint with under- 
standing and was reared in Nevvljerne, N. C 
They were not aljle to school him, so liis edu- 
cational advantages in Ijoyliood were meager ; 
having only received live month's schooling 
from childhood to maid)ood. 

He learned his alphaljets at ten or twelve 
years of age and afterward was very studious. 
Nature made him a poet, for in early child- 
hood, he would rhyme into tliildlike poetry, 
the words of his playmates. As he grevv in 
knowledge his poetic talent increased, but 
was not put into practice until 1893. At 24 
years of age he went to night school to Trof. 
A. M. DeVaughn after which he 
1 aught public school in Decatur County, Ca. ; 
Washington County, Fla., ISanta Kosa County, 
Ela., Escambia County, Ala. and in Escambia, 
Fla. 

After each scholastic term had ended he 
took the advantage of private instructions 
frOiii some of the most learned men of the 
counties in which he resided. He also at- 
tended the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial 
Institute, Tuskegee, Ala. He bids fair to be 
a poet of great ability. He may be styled as 
tlie great poet of the Zion Church. His works 
have been approved in two of the Annual Con- 



fereiices of Fl;\, andiiiai;;, of the iircatost men 
of the race. What l>isho]) Loinax said of his 
sacred poems after ho was introduced to the 
annual conference. ''I highly appreciate the 
samples of the work. I have read the little 
book throuiih and do say that I do not believe 
that there is a man living or dead that could 
have produced a hetfer production of poems of 
their liind. 1 have road Shakespeare, Byron, 
and nearly all of the other poets, and have 
not seen where they have produced a high^^n- 
grade of poems. They are really sublime ! 
Mr. Perkins shall have the encouragement of 
the church and the race." Fart lirst contains 
a few o*:' the many sacred poems that lie has 
written for a new hymnal. Part second con- 
tains poems of a different nature and various 
subjects, xilso a few pieces of prose in verse, 
proverbs, etc. 

Mr. Perkins is classed among the poets and 
authors of this great country and will win 
many laurels if he continues to write. 

J. H. MANLEY, 
Ponsacola, Fhi. Pastor Big Zion Churcli. 



T^i^y^ -^^ 

SHADOWS OF POETRY. :}. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Be not predjiulic^e wliile readiiiii" tliis 1)()()k, 

At every sentence, take yon a look, 

Think not who wrote it, i)nt read it witli care. 

For in these pages a liglit will appear ; 

It may shine bnt dimly, brighter 'twill grow, 

Thonghts in expansion do rapidly flow. 

We present you shadows, not far ahead 

Of the true snl)stance ; for often we find 

The shadow advanced — the substance belli nd. 

To higher realms, l)v shadows we are led. 

THE AUTHOR. 



L^ ^ — ^ ^i 



y 4^ sriA DO ws o f poe tr y. 



^ 



LYRIC POEMS. 



[long metres] 

[1 low beautiful upon .the mountain are the feet ot 
hint that bringeth good tidings. Isaiah 52 :7] 

How beautiftil the feet of Him, 
Upon the inountains shine iindini ; 

He is the Lord, tlie Kinji' of kings, 
(rood tidinii's He from heaven l:)rings. 

Llis l)hK)d atoned for ev'ry race, 

This fountain formed a tlirone of grace, 

Its pow'r readied back to Adams time. 

Cleansed them with healing waves std^lime. 

What woml'rous pow^'r His blood contains. 

What saving faitli there still remains, 
In Jesus' blood that once was shed, 

This pow'r shall raise us from the dead. 

The generations yet unborn. 

Shall in this fount their hearts adorn. 
Their garments too, washed white as siu)w% 

As up, they march from earth below. 



|"Awake awake, put on thy streiigth O Zion.r?aiali y)'l -A 

Zion awake ! put on thy strength. 

Arrise, shake off unclean attire. 
The King of Glory will at length 

Bring forth redemption, thy desire. 

Put on thy beautiful attire, 

Pre]>are to meet thy God and King, 

Our Prophet. Priest, our Lord, our Sire ; 
To Him eternal anthems sing. 



[Isaiah 52 :7.] 

Ho that upon the mountain stands, 
Behold how beautiful His feet, 

Nations must bow at His command, 
Throuiih Him redemption is complete. 

Low ! see Him down from heaven start. 

Into a lowly Maiiiier lay. 
His blood, salvation did impart 

To wand'ring sinners gone astray. 

This pearl of price redeemed mandkind 
From pow'rs of death, hell and the grave 

Plesh, l)lood and spirit all combined 
Our souls to ransom and to save. 

This price was paid upon the cross. 
That justice miglit l)e satisfied. 

And that our souls should not l)e lost, 
Christ hung upon the cross and died. 



o / > ^ cv ■ ^ 

'') SHADOWS OF POETRY. S. v 

^, ■ 

Awake and praise His holy name. 

Awake, God's kingdom is at hand. 
He comes to bear our sins and shame, 

That we may rest in Canaan's land. 

We, through His all atoning blood, 
Shall reach that mansion in the sky. 

Our souls, washed in that healing flood, 
Sliall soon to God in <ilorv flv. 



[Tsalms 111 :1 — "I will praise the Lord with my whole 
heart '] 

Let every tongue give Go<l tlie praise, 
To Him both heart and voice we raise, 

O Lord ! Thy holy name we bless, 

Witli humble hearts our sins confess. 



-•€/<?. 



(5^ >S7/J DO WS O F POE TR Y. 

With lienrt and voice, Thy name we praise, 
O guide us* Lord in wisdom's ways. 

Help lis Thy narrow path to walk, 
In Thee to live and sing and talk. 

AVith our whole hearts Thy nanie we sing. 
Accept the tril)nte Lord we bring. 

Let Thy pure love our hearts explore. 
Thy l)lessing Jesus we adore. 

( ) Lord I () ! Lord ! salvation give, 
Help us in Thee forever live, 

And when our days on earrh have past, 
Mav we in Thee be crowned at last. 



DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN. 



[Well clone, thou good ami faithful servant"Matt.'2o :'21 

Soldier ! thine earthly race is run I 
To rest thy weary spirit Hies, 

Thine earthly toils forever done, 
Thy soul at rest above the skies. 

Let HOW, thy weary soul repose 

In that eternal sea of rest. 
Where Christ to thee will now disclose 

His golden gifts to all the l)lest. 

Well done ! thy work is now complete. 
The Angels bid thy spirit come, 

Lay down thy grief at Jesus' feet. 
Praise God in thine eternal home. 



&^3- : ^^^ 



-e^^ 

SHADOWS OF POETR Y. 7. 

ENDLESS HELL 



Hast thou yet tliought of God and lioaven. 
And all the riches of His love:* 

H(^ for thy sins His son hast jiiven, 

Tiiat thou niiii'htst have a home above. 

Thy father, (Jod prei)ares the room 
In heaven where all His jilories are ; 

(Jome ! before thou meetest the tomb. 
And God hast called thee to His bar. 

There is a never ending hell, 

For all who will not Christ receive, 

Who will not in his precepts dwell, 
Nor on His holy name believe. 

How can you stand that dreadful day 
When mercy ceases thy cause to plead, 

And God shall drive thy soul away. 
Thy heart with sorrow then shall l)leed. 

If thou be wise then turn and live, 

And (iod shall liive thee matchless iirace. 

He will thine every sin l'ori;ive, 

In heaven appoint thy soul a place. 



BOTTOMLESS HELL. 



Stop ! wretched man and turn to God, 
Hanger and darkness waits for thee. 

Stop now ! ere God's avenging rod 
Doth stamp thy soul in hell to be. 

That awful gulf of endless woe 
Awaits the sinner's dying hour, 

If unprepared, down, down he'll go. 

When hell with vengeance shows its i)ow"'r. 



^^Si^e- 



SHADOWsS OF POETRY. 



DoAvn in that pit, no bottom there, 
Horrow and wailinii; fill the space, 

Tliat fiery lake ot dark dispair, 

Where God from thee shall hide his face. 

Down, down yon iio. ten thousand years. 
And still there is no bottom found : 

No friend therein to quench thy fears. 
While there in hell thy soul is bound. 

And there ! through all eternity. 

Weeping and wailing, sick and sore. 

No pleasure there thy soul shall see, 
But down, still down, forevermore. 



TOPLESS HEAVEN 



God has prej^ared a place of rest. 

Beyond the boundless shores of time. 

Above the stars for all the blest ; 
A place that's holy and sul)lime. 

When on that blissful shore we land. 

Escorted as a heavenly bride 
By Christ, who shall extend his hand, 

"Come higher ! I for thee have died."' 

As we a>:cMid with Christ, our King, 
Beauties of heav'n will meet our gaze. 

Shouts of redeeming love we'll sing, 

To Christ, the Lamb, thro' endless days, 

"Come higher I" we shall hear Him say. 

'See what thy Lord prepared for thee." 
Our souls in beautiful array. 
Cities of pearl and gold we see ! 



•^3^B 



P SHADOWS OF POETRY. ». 

P ■ 

I Hiii'her and hif;iier we ascend. 

With endless pleasure at our will, 
Ten^thousand years shall find no end, 
We look I and there's a mansion still. 



•1 will praise Thee- with my whole heart." Psalms.] 

With all my soul, my heart and voice 
In Thee, my Savior I'll rejoice ; 
^ly voice to Tiiee ascending' high. 
Up to Thy throne a))Ove the sky. 
With all my soul I'll sing Thy praise. 
And in Thy service end my days. 

With all m\ stren'j:th. my heart, my mind, 
Wisdom and conscience all combined : 
I lift my voice in praise to Thee, 
For contrite heart from sin set free. 
Accept, () Lord ! the praise I bring. 
My soul, Thy name shall ever sing. 



fe 



TIME. 

(common metre) 
Time is the sea — the boat of life 

Is swiftly gliding c'.^r ; 
Trials are waves of angry strife, 

And death the eternal shore. 

How unconcerned the boatman goes I 

Upon the restless tide. 
The storm is rising and he knows 

He has no place to hide. 

Thoughtless he rides upon the waves, 
There's time enough, he cries ! 

Pleasure of earth his constant crave, 
How swift to death he flies. 



10. SHA D OWS OF POETRY. 

Alas ! alas ! the billows leap, 
The lioatinan 's seen no more I 

The tempest with an awtul sweep. 
Lands lii-i. npon the sliore. 

Too late, too late, to tnrn to (to;1 I 

Death holds his body fast, 
Stricken with (lod's aveng-inir rod. 

His soul in hell is cast. 

Tnrn sinner tnrn I () hear the call, 
CJome and with Jesus dwell. 

Turn ere (lod's ven,<i;eance on thee fall. 
And thou be cast in hell ! 



I 



["I'lit on Uie whole arniour of God." Ep!i. (5 ;] 1] 

Let Zion's soldiers all arise. 

And put their armour on. 
The pow'r of God their foe defies. 

The vict'ry"s almost won. 

Stand strong and firmly in His miiiiit, 

And press with vigor on, 
Trust God, you'll concpier in the fight. 

Through His incarnate son. 

Christ is our captain on this war, 

tlis word's our sword and shield. 
The ])ath of sin He doth abhor, 
We'll surely win the field. 

Lift of your heads with courage bold. 

For soon ! this \\ar is past, 
Our enemies will soon behold. 

We're crowned in heaven at last. 



'd:S^&- . -e^ 



q; " SHADOWS OF POETRY. 11 



^ENDLESS HELL FIHE." 



[A subject preached by Rev. E. J. Cartr»rin Peiisacnla. 
Fla., during a revival.] 

There is a death not seen — behohl I 

Tliat pit of keen dispair; 
Where endless misery nntold, 

Are felt severel}' there. 

Tliat pit of endless borrow riven. 

No trav'ler linds the end, 
Down, down, from God forever driven. 

Because thou will not l:iend. 

Let not thy sins thy soul oe'rawe, 

Call Jesus to your side, 
He'll make the darkest clouds withdraw. 

And safe to heav'n you'll glide. 

If you'll accei)t while Christ is nigli. 

And shun the second death. 
Your soul sliall swift to glory tly 

At your expiring l)reath. 

Surely you must from God be driven. 

Or with Him ever dwell; 
Fly swift on angel's wings to heav'n. 

Or ])lunge in a devil's hell. 







HEV. JOHN WESLEY ALSTOHK, D. I)., 

(ieneral Steward A. M. E. Zioii (Connection ;!n 
Presidinu' Elder Montiroinerv Disti'ict. 



SUA DO 1 1 '.s or Poi: nt v. i ;?. 



A0K()STI(\ 



Justice, [);itieiic(,-, faith and truth 
Un thee euiiraven, in thy youth. 
How hriii'ht and pleasant are thy smiles. 
>io (doud of wronii' thy rol)e defiles. 

Whilst thou in Jesus CUirist abide, 

Every stor.n thou shalt outride ; 

Safe on that bright celestial tide, 

L.O ! Christ the Lord, shalf be thy guide ; 

Even though the woes of hell defy, 

You'll safe on wings to glory fly. 

A crown in lieaven, (iod has for thee. 
Let his commands thy pleasure be, 
."So that, througii all etc^rnity, 
Thy Saviour's smiling face you'll see. 
On harps of gold His name t') praise, 
Redeeming love in songs to raise. 
Kept bj his hand through endless days. 

DoiTr forget tliy friend and brothiT ^\ hen thou 

Kneelest down to pray, 
Don't forget he would (dimb higher; try and 

lielp him on his way. 



o^^ 



I 



j) \i. SHADOWS OF POKTItV. 



'4) 



["There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 
. Prov. 18 yli.] 

Jesus, our everlasting friend, 

Our sins and griel's He'll bear, 
What privilege He doth extend, 

To talk to Him in prayer. 

How many blessings we have past. 

What needless sorrows wear, 
'Tis all because we do not east. 

Our cares on Him in prayei. 

Trials appear on ev'ry hand. 

Our cross seems hard to bear, 
Be not discouraged, bravely stand I 

Tell it to Him in prayer, 

A friend cannot be found so true. 

That will our troubles share, 
He knows just what we can endure. 

We'll talk to Him in prayer. 

When tribulations bear us down. 

Shrouded in sin and care, 
We still will strive to wear the crown. 

By faith and humble prayer. 



[Psalms 28 :4.] 

Though 1 walkthrough death's darksome vale 

No evil wall I fear 
Thy rod, thy staff, will death assail, 

'fhy soothing voice I'll hear. 

While in this vale and death at liand, 

Jesus shall be my guide; 
'Cross Jordan's stream my soul HeTl huid, 

kSafe on the other side. 



ctg^^- 



) .S'//.l DO WS OF FOE TR Y. 15. i^- 

\ Jesus will help me l)ravely stand, 

This bold and chilly tide ; 
I>eneatli the shadow, of His hand, 
i My soul shall ever hide. 

] There on that bright celestial shore, 

With harps of gold we'll play ; 
Jesus the Lamb we'll praise, adore — 
Through tiiat unending day". 

"[Never man spake like this man." John 7 :4()] 

How matchless are Thy words, O Lord, 

No mortal man like Thee, 
The pow'r of God, Thy ways, Tiiy worcL 

Supreme Thou art, we see. 

No words of earth have pow'r like Thine. 

Tlie dead from earth to raise. 
The deaf, the blind doth to Thy shrine 

Sing songs of love and praise. 

The poor, the dumb, the sick and lame. 

Thy word hath pow'r to heal. 
() Saviour ! speak in thine own name. 

And words of peace reveal. 

() Jesus ! if I had the pow'r 

The world Thy name should hear, 
rd plead to sinners ev'ry hour 

That they Tiiy word may fear. 

[••The harvest is tlie end of the wofkl." Matt. 1;}:-J'.»J 

When earth moves not and time is still. 

The harvest has begun ; 
(sod's saints shall rise, take heav'n at w ill. 

In robes bright as the sun. 



■^ 1(U SHADOWS OF POETRY. 

y ^ ^ 

Jesus shall bid them henv'n receive, 

And He its light shall he. 
That light which did tlieir souls reprieve 

From hell's eternity. 

Harvested in heav'n, in robes of white, 

Cai'ols of praises ring, 
Hosanna I to tiie King of light. 

In glory they shall sing. 

Where are the sinners doomed to deatii, 

And where forever dwell :' 
Almost from their expiring breath 

Their groans were heard in hell. 

May sinners hear the word of (lod, 

xAnd cling to Jesus' love ; 
Thus shunning hell's tormenting rod. 

And seal their lives above. 



[short metres.] 

One drop of Jesus' blood 

Can cleanse me white as snow, 

Yes, from his side a healing flood. 
For me his blood did How. 

My Saviour died for me 
On Calvary's rugged brow. 

That precious blood my soul did free. 
He saved me b}^ his ])ow'r. 

With Thy blood wash me Lord, 
Cleanse and renew my heart, 

( ) nuiy I feast upon Thy word. 
Afresh for heaven start. 




W^- 



SHA I) O WS F P< )E TR Y. KT. 

Tliy l)l()()d attonenieiit made, 

To save my guilty soul ; 
Jesus, Tiiy ]>lood a rausome paid. 

Thy cross I now behold. 

O take me, Lord, to Thee, 

lu heaven, alcove the sky ; 
When death my life requires of me, 

My >ioul to Thee shall fly. 

"For Zioirs sake I will not hold my pcat-i'."" Isaiali i\"l :1 

Let us si)eak for Zion, 

For her hold not thy peace, 
For (Tod's briiiht beauti'^'ul Zion 

Our cares will never cease. 

For her our toils be iiiveu, 

In Jesus' name we'll strive. 
Her proiiress speed as we have striven. 

While we are yet alive. 

For Zion's sake we'll speak. 

We'll toil in Jesus name. 
Until we reach the mountain i)eak 

In his l)rii;ht world of fame. 

Our eyes ])ehold the light, 

Tiie city of our king, 
Angels, in rolies of shining white. 

We'll join His praise to sing. 



EA8TER CAROL. 



[7"S AND (vs.] 

Christ has risen from the dead. 

All glorv to his name. 
He to Galilee hast fled, 

(io there and spread his fame, 



^F&^ - 

p IS. SHADOWS OF FOE TRY . y 



He's risen, He's Lord and King 
O'er heaven, iiell, earth and sky. 

All tongues His name forever sing. 
In earth and heaven on liigli. 

Jesus Christ, the Prince of I'eace, 
Hast sufi'ered and hast died, 

He'll our souls from hell release, 
Tlirongii Iliu) we're santiiied. 

To Him creation bows, 

Who conquored death and hell. 
Supreme in God's mighty pow'rs, 

Though witli the cross lie fell. 



^P 



["Go tliy way, lii.v laitli hatlnnado tlicc wlidlc 
Mark 10 •.•2'2.] 

[O's] 
Put your trust in .lesus, 

Tiion blind and sinful soul, 
He'll bid thee go thy way ; 

Thy faith will make thee whole. 

Thou shalt receive thy sight 

And give the Savior praise. 
Filled with delight, thy soul 

Shall tuneful anthems raise. 

Trust Jesus — follow him. 

Believe and thou shalt live, 
He's full of tenderness. 

And will thy sins forgive. 

Faith is a firm belief, 

That acts upon his word, 
Pelief the ))lind received. 

When Christ's sweet voice he heard. 



-e/^t, 



D ,S'//. 1 DO WS OF POETR Y. \^). 

[The author's firi-t sacred pceiii ; written in April, 18J)i}] 

A PRAYER, 



(P 



cleaupe my sinful heart 

Dear Loi d I liumhly plead ; 
Keep, I pray and feed nie. 

Thou knowest wliat I need. 
Fni a helpless creature, 

Dear Saviour, 1 confess, 
I'll strive thy will to do. 

My soul, clear Saviour bless. 
O smile upon me Saviour, 

Thou Land) of Calvary, 
'Twas for my redemption 
Thou wast nailed to the tree. 

O wilt thou remend)er 
Thy groan of agony. 

Thy sorrow and dying. 
And then remember me ? 

Look with eyes of pity. 
And cause me to grow mild, 

When my work is ended. 
Lord, own me as thy child. 



[•'Wliosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be hro- 
kej)." Luke 20:18.] 

Christ tlie words of life has spoken. 

If thou wilt believe 
Fallon him, thy heart is broken. 

Grace thou shalt receive, 
ciioiu s. 

Fallon the stone ! (J fall on the stone ! 

Jesus doth bid thee fall on the stone; 

See wdiat the Saviour for sinners hast l)orne 

Llear thou the calling and fall on the stone. 



d^e^- 



20. 



SHADOWS OF POETRY 



^ 



Jesus is the stone rejected, 

Hih power eaniiot fail ; 
(jod's oliiircli upon llini is erected, 

Hell cannot prevail, ( 'ho. 

Jesus letnie on thee fall, 

Fall not thou on me ! 
Dear Lord I'll ever hear thy call. 

Set Thou a sinner free. Oho. 



['"Ask ami it shall be given yoii." Matt. . :r.J 
[0. M.] 

Pardon and lull salvation Iree 

To every living soul. 
Jesus hast said : ask thou of nie, 

'Tis heard from pole to pc.le. 

Ask, and eternal life receive, 

'Tis promised of the Lord. 
Ask and upon his naniL^ l)elieve, 

Rely upon his word. 

Ask, that the souls of men may live. 

And that they may repent. 
Ask, that their sins He may forgive 

Before their lives are spent. 

Ask, that the Church on earth may thrive. 

His word to Pagans go. 
Ask — they in Oh.rist may be alive. 

On that eternal shore. 

Ask, that the world may bL'tter grou'. 

The saints may purer he, 
Ask, that on earth Ood's chiu'ch m;iv ]<ii(>m- 

A year of jubilee. 



'^ SNA no ]\ '.S O F FOE TR Y. 

THE TRIAL OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 



f-'WIu'ii 111' liatli Iritn! me I will coiiie fcrUi as gold."' 
.ici). -•:5:1().] 

When tl.c riiilittous on tri;il. in jiidiinient 

sliall sl';uu1. 
As tlie cliilvlren of (ioi], in a lilorioiis Vjand, 
Tliev — witli praises a.nd sltontin.u'. His iil(tl•^• 

'behold; 
YuY when He liatii tried them, they'll come 

forth as p)ld. 

OjfOKUS. 

When earth's toils a.re ended, and death we 

behold I 
When .lesns hath tried us. we shall eonie forth 

as ^old, 
We shall come forth as iiold I we shall come 

forth as Hold I 
When .iesus ha.tli tri(Ml iis. we shall come I'orth 

as ^old. 

The witness in trial, is the -hidiie on His seat, 
For He is their she])herd, and thev fall at His 

feet, 
Judiie .lesns is -h.eijhei'd, and we spread it 

abroad. 
The sen.tence is. enter in the joys of thy Lord ! 

Kinii' .lesns is Lawyer, for tl^e world He h;ith 

])lead, 
Mv Father foruive tlRUi, were llie words tlia.t 

He said; 
His pleadinii' is ended. He is now on His seat. 
He is jnduinii rlie riiihteons. who kneel at His 

feet. ' '^ 



■e/^ 



^'^Q^/s-. __ . __ -ev^p 

P 22^^ SHADOWS OF POETRY. (S 

The jury is Jesus and the hnv is His word, 
Whicli is pleasure and comfort to the soul 

who hath heard 
The sweet sentence, so charming, in musir 

divine, 
It is. Enter my rest, for my glory is thine ! 

There's a white shining robe, all His chihlren 

shall wear, 
The Saviour shall give them, in that hiissfnl 

somewhere. 
With the wings of bright angels, His children 

shall tly, ' 
In that city of light, in the l)eautiful sky. 

There are In-ight golden crow'ns, on their iieads 

He has placed. 
Anil a girdle of gold, they shall wear 'round 

their waist. 
There are shoes of pure gold, they shall wear 

on their feet 
As they walk on the sea, and the gold crystal 

street. 



[''Thanks be to Gnd who <»-iveth iis (he victory. "■ 
1 Cor. 15 :57.] 

Trust the Lord and be victorious 

Over ev'ry foe, 
To Jesus Christ — name most glorious, 

Dying love we oAve ! 

Chorus. 

Victory in Jesus, 

To Ilis word hold fast. 
By trusting in Jesus, 

We have victorv at last ! 

I '___ J 



SHADOWS OF POETRY. 23. 

Thanks be to God for victory giv'ii, 

When our life is past, 
Victorious on the cars for heav'u, 

Victory at hist ! 

Chorus 

When in heav'n, with vict'ry standinii'. 

On the sea of glass, 
111 raiments bright and songs unending. 

Victory at last ! 



[••I go to prepare a place for you." Joiin 14 :2.] 

There's a mansion of love, in that land \'[w 

above, 
The Saviour has gone to prepare. 
There is never a night, in that land fair and 

bright, 
Tlien why not my friends — meet me there:* 

ChghUvS. 

Meet me there ! Meet me there ! 
Then why not my friends — meet me there t 
In that city of light, there is never a night. 
Then why not my friends — mset me there. 

In that city of gold, there are mansions untold. 
The Saviour for us, will prepare, 
That His children below, to that city nniy go. 
Then why not my friends — meet me there:' 

To that mansion on high, there our spirits 

shall liy, 
There's no sin nor sorrow or care, 
In that mansion of rest, there our sitirits are 

blest. 
Then why not my friends — meet me there ^ 



y 24^ SITA DOWS OF POETRY'. (^ 

! In that heaven above, there are rivers of h)ve, 
A phice so ):>eantii'ul and fair, 
There's a crown of pure ji'olJ, th.it's for me I 

behohl. 
Then wliy not my friends — meet me Miere:' 

Where God's ehihlren are 1>L st, there are 

oceans of rest. 
From a fountain free, tlowina; there. 
And upward we will ride, on ils hriii,!it silwr 

tide. 
Then wliy not my friends — meet u\e there ^ 

There's no sun, mo-in nor ni^iht, I'or the Land) 

is the liglit. 
In that city so brijiht, so fair, 
Salvation is forme and Life's fountain is free, 
Then wliy not niy friends — meet me there ^ 

Life's waters tlowini;' l)y, Life's trees are 

l)looming ni^h, 
Twelve manner of fruits tlK\v shall l)ear. 
With the leaves (iod shall deal, ev'ry nation 

to heal. 
Then why not my friends — meet me there!' 

.Tesus Christ is the Kinii' and Llis ])raise we 

shall sinii', 
His glory in palms we shall l)ear. 
His name we will adore, forever — evermore. 
Then why not mv friends — meet me there r 



[''T.et there be light!" Gen . 1 :2] 

God in the beginning, made heaven and earth. 
The angels rejoiced, creation hath birth. 
Darkness stood thick on the face of the dee] ,, 
The spirit of (Jod on the waters — sweej) I 






y 



J 



SlIADOWS OF POETRY. 25. 

CMiORUS, 

^'Let there ))e li-iit !" '^Let there.he liiilit !" 
His voice gave warning, and there was lighf. 

Th(> earth without form, was darkness and 

waste, 
(Jod spoke — and the liglit swept darkness in 

haste, 
No hmd couhl be seen, no song of a l)ird. 
Just the voice of God, on the waters — hearil. 

('II()RIT8. 

Creation, how won.drous, smiles on His hrow. 
The heav'ns were made by strokes of His 

pow'r. 
His word was His pow'r, how dark \\'as the 

night. 
His voice moved swiftlv. said, '"Let there Ix^ 

liglit. 

["NVc must throug-h iniu-h tribulation, enter inlo 111;' 
King^cloni of Oocl."] Acts 14:'J'2. 

[8'S AND T's] 
Throug!i the toils of life we're marching. 

To that l)riglit and happy land. 
We must pass through tribulaticui. 

To join that celestial band 

We n.iust hold u^) Zion's banner. 

Asking Jesus guide our way, 
Up to that celestial City, 

In God's bright eternal day. 

Though we meet with heavy crosses, 

Hell with all her liery strife. 
Pushing hard our souls to ruin. 

In that lake of Haminii' rife. 



i-5\3-- 






2(k SHADOWS OF POETRY. 

We must c.ast our cares on Jesus, 
He's the Coiiqu'rer, Prince of Peace, 

lie will fiiiht our ev'ry battle, 
Till this mortal life shall cease. 

REMEMBERED BY WHAT THOU HAST 
DONE. 



['J'liis piece is intended to be sung over fallen educa- 
tional and relig-ious workers of the race.] 

xiway thou has tlown, to that h)fty summit, 
Thou Icavest the huireJs tliy la1)or hast won, 
Among us thy splendor still sliines as a 

comet, 
Remembered forever l\v wliat thou hast done. 

KKFRAIN. 

On we will lal)or till Jesus hast called us, 
Then we will meet thee, we'll outshine the sun, 
E'rom nninsion to mansion, we'll praise Him 

continuons. 
Remembered in heaven for what we have 

done. 

^^'ith hearts of deei> soi-row. we mourn for thy 

loss 
And still, we must soon follow thee, one by 

one, 
Tliou livest still with us, thy work we endorse. 
It stands as rememb'rance of what thou hast 

done. 

The light is still shining in dazzling array ; 
And the seeds thou hast sown, the work thou 

begun, 
Sliall flourish in splendor, outspreading for aye, 
In glowing rememb'rance of what thou hast 

done. 



^S=/e- -. ^^^ 

) SHADOWS OF POETRY. '27. 

Farewell Ibeloved leader there're riches untold, 
In heaven there's a crown that thy toils have 

won, 
A\'hirh Jesus gives thee, in that city of gold. 
In living remendj'rance of what thou hast 

done. 



1 WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR JESUS. 



i) ! I want to do something for Jesus, 
Something through life on my way 

To that beautiful city of refuge 
Of life and eternal day. 

CHORUS 

Help me do sometliing for Jesus, 
O I help me do something tochiy. 

Help me do something for Jesus, 
As upward I march on mv way. 

Though as weak as I am — I am willing — 

For Jesus to tight — to die ! 
And for Him to do something — l)elieving 

I'll rest with Him by and t\v. 

And my days are not long — I must hurry 
To do something, while on earth, 

For my Jesus, my Saviour my Kefuge, 
And the sinner's Christian birth. 

I must work while the daylight is burn in; 

For the night seems just a pace, 
I must work while it's day to he earning. 

The smiles of mv Saviour's face. 



c^g'^ ^'^^ 



.'"^ 







*e^«. '*•>* *«•'• 



EEV. J. H. MANLEY, D. D. 



"S^e^©-- 



SHADOWS OF POETRY. 



29. 



Ov_y 



.Toineth he — that which lifteth up his race 

Hence — a leader of men — wrongs to erase. 

Manley — the name shall live, while Zion stands! 
And when to earth he falls — his duty done — 
No cloud shall dark his way, for in his hands 
Lie conquering palms — shining as the sun. 
Earnest in many works for God is he, 
Yes, splitting churches stand in unity. 

Divides with those who strive to rise, 

Divides his talent and his prize. 



--e^aE 



) 30. SHADOWS OF POETRY. 

CLOSER TO JESUS. 



Closer to Jesus, I'm striving to be, 
Closer to Jesus from sin I am free. 

Closer to Jesus, my soul now shall hide. 
Closer to Thee Lord, I'll ever abide. 

Closer dear Jesus, O take me to Thee, 

Then in Thy kingdom, my soul shall be free. 

Closer my Saviour, O close to Thy breast, 
'Till in Thy Kingdom, my soul is at rest. 

Tlien close to the Throne, Thy praise I will sing 
With hari)s of gold, the heavens shall ring, 

Closely torever, dear Lord I shall be. 
Saviour Thy glory, forever I'll see. 



DOXOLOGIES. 



[7's] 
Saviour, Shepherd, with us be, 

'Till again each face we see ; 
In some other place as this, 

Ere we reach immortal bliss. 

[L M.] 

Praise God the Father, God the Son, 
Praise God the Spirit, three in One, 

From Him we ask that blessings flow, 
On each in parting liere below. 

[l. m.] 
Jesus Thou gieat eternal King, 

As we stand up Thy praise to sing, 
I/!ok down and liless our ev'ry heart, 

As we on earth prepare to part. 



SI 




of Poelru 



Part Second. 



Containing a collection of Poems, "Prose in W rse. 
Verses on Love and Afl'ection, Proveil)s, Etc 



AVritten l)y R. L. PERKIXS. 



£/0- fc=\i53| 

iV2. SHADOWS OF P OETRY. 

THE THOUGHTS OF A POET. 



What wondrous tliought lias God the poet i;iv'n. 

His love to mortals teach, 
Myst'ries put in their reach, 

Tlie poets tliought flash forth from earth to 
lieav'n, 
In twinkling of an eye 

Through earth and sea and sky. 

Do common men as natural poets think :' 

Imagination deep, 
( >rtimes in them is sleep. 

While oft poetic thought — ([uickas a wink — 
lias hidden light unfurled, 

In til is lu'ogressive world. 

Among the planet worlds — poetic thought 

Flash forth among the stars, 
Across ^-Eoliaii bars. 

Down through the worlds of wonder — and 
have caught 
Nature in all her ways 

Explained in modern days. 



MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. 



King of earth, in animal life — is man 
And every creature of earth — him doth fear, 
As the martin doth the eagle — the wolf 
Doth that ferociovis king of the forest — 
The lion. Move if thou wilt, thou king 
Of the forest — let thy voice be heard — 
And all the beasts of the forest tremble ! 



-^k 



I - 



STfAI)0]V,S OF POETRY. 3^. 

And thou, O man ! king of the earth — before 
Bird, beast or redtile appear — and horror 
His boson} swells, and he fleeth awa.v 
Or atterapteth battle — self to protect. 

Thou hast eminence ov?r all l)easts, fowls 
And creeping inseets — O king of the earth — 
Anvl tliou l)y kindness or skill doth manage 
Ev'ry living thing thou wilt. The lion — 
Tliou tanieth and he obeys thee ; the horse, 
The camel and the ox, are thy servants. 
And thou over them and others — are good 
Or evil masters, and th.y heavenly 
Parent doth for th.y care to them, hold thee 
To account. To thee they are slaves — and 

dumb — 
For them, thou shouldest care, and for them 

feel— 
For as thy heavenly Father cares for thee. 
Looks for thine interest, so shouldst thou 
Also look, care and feel, for thy subjects — 
The innocent, the helpless, speechless beasts. 

Burdened heavily bv thy hands, are they. 
Oft they tremble, fall, struggle groan and 

faint 
With heat and ])urden ; and thou span^st not 
The rod ! Art thou a merciless murd'reri' 
God will punish thee for every wrong 
That thou intlicteth up )n the helpless I 
Thou art responsil>le for thy treatment 
To thy fellow men — also. For God has said ; 
''As thy-self thy neighbor love.'' To others 
Do, as you would have it done unto you." 
Oft the world by ffaud, cheats men out of 

home, 
Herds and land, silver and gold, luisliand, wife. 



3 4. SHADOWS OF POETRY. . C' 

Out of freedom of action. speec-li aiul thouuiit 
And out of health and life. Circumspect 
Thy life — thou art responsil)le to (lod I 



I 



[Greeting a little stranger.] 

Hail ! hail ! thou cute exquisite thiiii; I 

Beauteous as Physche of spring', 
How glad am I, just now to greet, 

A babe that's sweet from head to feet. 
With sparkling eyes and glowing chec'^ks, 

With laughing face and silken hair. 
It seems to lue it almost speaks. 

In smiles that beaut'ous angels wear. 

In innocence, thou sleeping lay ! 

By angels watched from day to day, 
Tiiy mother with her tender cares 

Doth soothe thine ev'ry cry she hears ; 
To soothe thy sorrows is her joy, 

For thou art mamma's chief delight, 
'Tis papa's precious baby boy, 

A di'mond that is shining bright. 



THE CONDITION OF THE RACE. 



For ev'ry thing there is a hell, 

That on the face of earth may dwell 
For man, bird, beast or gentle How'r 

Hades stands present ev'ry hour ; 
His fangs are sharp, poison as death. 

He slaps thy jaws, but hold thy breath, 
Monster bold in a nations hand, 

Go bound or free at his co.iimand. 

Who doth protect thee — African? 
In courts of law art thou a man ? 



-e/^ 



I 



"^^^^^ 



SHADOWS OF POETRY. 



If SO, why boldest thou thy breath, 

When wroiiiis are felt as keen as deatli ; 

For jiislice ask with all thy might, 
As luan of courage stand out riglit, 

f^ome no1)le hand on hades side, 

Wi]] bid thee .on the mountain slide. 

Dotli thou not feel a iiellish pang, 

When cursed and driven with a bang!* 

A humankind present thy self 
Or still be treated as an elf; 

Prepare thy self a man to be, 

^ Learning and wisdom make the free, 

Then push ahead stay iu)tl)ehind, 
Let him a man in thee soon find. 

Then as a man thou shalt be lield, 

To give thee justice he's compelled ; 
TIiou knoweth wrong, thou knowetli right. 

Thou ait considered in his sight; 
If thou as much as he dotli know. 

Then hand in hand the two may go 
And in the jui ors box they meet. 

The Negro and the white man's seat. 

Why art thou charged with many scrapes? 

'Mong the offences there are rajjes ; 
Didst thou do that before the uar? 

Doth thou not still the crime abhor :' 
If in thy pagan state 'twas seen 

Thou didst not l)rave a deed so mean. 
Then why in this enlightened age 

This crime is printed on thy page? 

Now if while in thy pagan state 
To do such deeds thou wast too great, 

'Tis plain that all the world can see. 
From deeds like this thv record's free • 

<j ' fjo 

ccE^^ - - ■ e/^=---?-^ 



t 



'7'T S>-Q ^ ' ■ 0.3^' 

j) 'Siu SHADOWS OF POETRY. 



S 



But hades throws this in thy face 
Since thou art free in ev'ry phice. 

''Drink this !" he says ; ""open your mouth I 
Your crimes are p-iev'ous in the South I" 

Wliy is it said that thou wilt steal ^ 

Pray unto me the <"ause reveal. 
If 'mong- my children there are few. 

Who will take what belongs to you, 
Their poverty in bondage gave 

Them mind for food and clotiies to crave ; 
The}^ worked in sunshine a a 1 in rain, 

A world of curses now they gain. 

Let the accuser take his glass, 

See if my children he surpass, 
In loyalty or honest name 

In brain, |)rogi'ession, or in fame, 
And if fault finding is his trade. 

He'd better stei> l)aek in the shade. 
P'or ah ! the time will soon appear, 

The Negro's trumpet he must henr. 

I see thee riding on the cnrs. 

Bedecked in jewels like the stars, 
I view thee as thou swiftly pass. 

Thy ticket's marked a second class; 
Axes, ropes and cant-hooks mixed, 
- 'Mong them thy ladies neatly tixed, 
Whiskey, tobacco, drinking crowd, 
Ave howling curses very loud !. 

Negroes in this are not alone. 
The white men with them iiust atone, 
For in these cars they come to smoke, 

And with the black man have a joke ; 
The white men goeth in and out, 









SifADOU'S OF POETIiY. 



l^'roiii car to car and all about, 

The Negro must stay iu this place, 
Or take a cursing to his face. 

Ye leaders of the race, come quick ! 

Unite, though bullets falleth thick. 
Try by rome means these ills to swage, 

Liberty will stand on thy page; 
In Jim-Crow-Cars thou ridesbno more, 

From North to South if thou ahiouklst 
Take from the East at thy behest 

A first class ticket to the West. 



[The aullior beiii^ gome distance from liis hirlli 
place, his parents and friends; tliinking of tiie (lis 
advnntag'es of life, wrote his first poem— the follow 
in.i,'': Feb. 1S9;3.J 

Now far away from liome am I, 

Froui friends and kindred dear. 
To clind) the h.ill of fame I'll try. 

No evil will I fear ; 
Jnst with the talent (sod hath giv'n. 

Each day will I improve' 
I'll strive as I've already striv'n, 

All doubts and fears remove. 

God has destined that I shall be, 

A full-fledged man, with fame. 
An understanding mind gave me, 

A tongue to speak His name ; 
To him I shall i'or wisdom look 

Which surely, Fll obtain 
I'll mastei luany a science book, 

To cultivate my brain. 

Some say I act a foolish man. 

For tliat I'll never stop, 
Thev taunt each no])le mind thev can. 

^ ■ ■ i 



.-?o • 



^i 



d^y^^ 



^-sro 



1) 38. SHADOWS OF POETRY. i^' 

/}) ■ - (^ 

! I'm striving- for the top ! 

They will not help nie to l)e iireat. 

They'd stop me if they could ; 
ril never for such people wait, 
I'm striving to do good. 
* * * * * % * 

One day the world, I'm sure will see, 

If on the mount I stand. 
Be classed amontr the n()l)le free 

And sheltered by God's hand. 



SPRING. 



How pleasant is the smiling spring ! 

With birds and flowers. 
The air with many voices ring, 

In woodland bow'rs 
The birds with cheerful voices sing. 

The grass how beautiful and green 

In vales below, 
Bedecked in scattered silv'ry sheen. 

Spring time we know. 
For now the red rose buds are seen. 

The butterflies are on the wing. 

All blithe and gay, 
With bees the forest echoes ring ! 

The live long day 
They whisper joys of pleasant spring. 

How beautiful are tlie flowers that shed 

Fragrances rare 
Through all the living forest spread, 

The dews with care 
Are sprinkled on their silv'ry head. 



,^^- 



M) SHADOWS OF POETRY. 89. dj 

How pleasant are the spritig-tiiiie sliow'rs 

On Iierbs and trees, 
Refreshing the grass and flowers — 

Cooling the breeze — 
And soothing life's unpleasant hours. 



IN MEMORIAM. 



[Written in niiMnnry ot Rev. J. C. Price, D. D , late 
president and fonnder of Livingston College, of tiie 
A. M. E. Zion Connection, Salisbury, N. C. In 1S!)(I 
wlien the ten greatest Negroes of America were 
sought, he had the honor as being classed as tlidgre; t- 
est orator of his race. In oratorial power, he was 
said to be second to none in America. Died October 
2r)tli, lS9;i.J 

Farewell ! farewell ! beloved friend, 
In heaven thy joys shall never end ; 

Price ! the Lord hath called thee home, 
In ijastures green thy soul shall roam, 

( )h ! how we loath to give thee up, 

But God hath bade thee drink the cup, 

Thoti didst at: once His will o!)ey, 

And now thou sleej)eth 'neatli the clay. 

Rest ! rest ! for thine is sweet repose. 

Thy (jrod to thee His gilts disclose, 
••Well done-' He says, tny works complete. 

Rest thou thy weary way-worn feet. 
Uood faithful servant 'tis well done ! 

Thy work a crown for thee has won, 
And into everlasting rest, 

Thy weary spirit now is ))lest. 



I 






„ ^^r> 

SHADOWS OF POETRY. (J 

^ ^^^ 

Bright liuirels on thy brow we cast. 

Thy days are spent and life is past. 
But still thou liveth with us yet, 

Thy teachings we can nev'r forget ; 
For as thou liveth in our mind, 

Like thee, to others we'll be kind, 
And as thy life was spent below. 

In that direction we will go. 

We grieve that thou hast gone away. 

Up to that land of cloudless day. 
And left us here in sin and pain, 

Striving the wealth of earth to gain, 
Encumbered ev'ry day with care. 

With grief and sorrow, woe and fear. 
But still God's face we hope to see. 

And live in that ])right world with thee. 

Thy course is finished here on earth, 

in heav'n thv soul has had its birth, 
A harp of gold placed in thy hand. 

Sing praise in that briglit golden land. 
• For thee a crown of life 'tis said. 

Jesus will place upon thy head. 
From light to light thy soul shall tly. 

In God's beautiful by and by. 

Farewell I beloved friend, '"a re well ! 

In heav'n thy soul shall ever dwell. 
Anthems of endless praises sing. 

Tt) Jesus thine eternal King; 
Farewell ! for thine is sweetest rest I 

In heav'n where all God's saints are l)lest. 
Bathe in that blissful sea above. 

Where all is joy and peace and love. 



.iS^ 






> SHADOWS OF POETRY. " ' 41. ^^'^ 

I THOUGHTS OF HOME. 



'^ 



[[ii Florida, tlie poet thinks of his niotlier in Noi-iii 
( aivjlina, to whom lie had written several letters with- 
out a reply; and with tearful heart, wrote — ] 

Fill ill the beautiful land of flowers. 

Roaming' far into the west, 
Whore the whippoorwil] sings 'nioiiii the 
liowers, 

And the robins sink to rest ; 
Where thenightiniiale sings his musical notes 

In the evening's gentle lireeze, 
Where fragrance of flow'rs on the zei>hvrs 
floats, 

From beautiful orange trees. 

Beauties of nature I glean as I pass, 

My heart oft jovial and glee. 
But when I think of my mother — alas ! 

Then there is no joy for me. 
The country is fair, of a lovely clime. 

But when I think of that home, 
My heart melts within to think of the time, 

WMien I, from mother did roam. 

But soon Fill refreshed with that joyous 
thought. 

As I walk upon the sand, 
Whpii with my mother, to judgment Fm 
l)r()uglit, 

AVe'll meet on that golden strand. 
(3ver there with friends and Jesus our priest, 

The joys of heaven Avell see, 
In that golden land, at the bridal feast, 

In our endless home we'll be. 



I 



12. SHADOWS OF POETRY. 



For many days in the land of flowers, 

From mother, my dearest friend, 
I have pensively roamed and sii^hed for hours, 

B'lievinii; her days at an end. 
To Nortli Carolina, letters I have sent, 

Wliere I left mother weeping, 
Tlien I waited with fear and discontent, 

To hear them say — she's sleeping ! 

TUSKEGEE. 



[Wliat he said oi' Tiiskegee Normal and IiidusLrial 
Institute, Tuskegee, Ala., alter two weeks attendance.] 

Tuskegee ! I like thee ever so well, 

In thee Fve decided three years to dwell ; 
I'll comn till 1 finish — course I begun. 

Thy light has reiiectioris bright as the sun I 
Delightful the place, forget not its clime. 

Think of its merits ! its aim is sublime ; 
In learning to labor at many trades, 

In morn and ev'ntide. Ave join in parades. 

Hurrah for Tuskegee I speak it aloud. 

Hear it ye nobles and join in the crowd. 
A gallant leader and teachers a score. 

We're climl)ing upward, to treasures in 
store. 
We wish our ])eople could see as Ave do. 

Here, they'd get learning, a trade extra too ; 
For both are needed, hoAv plainly you see. 

Solving the problem, this school is a key. 

The blacksmith, the farmer, painter and cook, 
The Avheehvright, mason, carpenter and 
T)ook, 
Tailor, dressmaker, thev iiuide bv the rule 

:i ^ J 

^i^^a- — ■ ■ ^ ■ e/^:c 



9 .S HADOWS OF POETRY. 48. CP 



These trades and professions — taught in 
the school : 
Tinsmith, nnisician, type-writer have we, 

Editor and humdress, light liere to see 
The printer, doctor, preacher and poet. 

Moving ill granduer — have yon to know it ! 

Shoe-maker, brick-maker, toiling away, 

Miller finds corn at the grist mill to-day ; 
The harness-makers are doing their part. 

Newly built foundry beginning to start; 
There's mattress-making and nurse trainiiiii 
too, 

'Mong trades and professions — one Iieiv 
for you ; 
Furniture-makers — you cannot excell. 

And the saw-mill Ijoys do extremely well. 

Our other professions we name not here. 

In our next poem, their names will appear. 
Of states in union — full fifteen or more, 

Are represented here, was mentioned 
before. 
Of this institution, we should be proud, 

In living honor its leader to shroud, 
Thank God for this blessing — onward we uo. 

The race in its progress, its pow-r will show. 



TBE HISTORY OF JOSEPH. 



Joseph was Jacob's youngest son, 
And most beloved of all. 

For this his brothers hated him. 
And plotted his downfall ; 

The Lord show'd Joseph in a dream 



•5^ 



-G'^-' 






. ^ . ^s8^ 

SHA DOWS OF POET RY. 

The bindinjr of the sheaves, 
Mis hrotliers- sheaves to his did liow, 
With hiiinl)le trenibliiia, lea^'es. 

Then Joseph dreamed another dream, 

God's manifesting pow'r, 
The sun, moon and eleven stars 

All unto him did bow ; 
His father and his brethren iieard 

Him tell his latest dream. 
The wrath of father and his sons, 

Upon the cliild did stream. 

'\Shall I, thv mother and our sons 

Indeed bow down to thee f 
Then Jacob waited loni: to see 

If that would ever be ; 
At last he sent him to the field. 

His pet and lovinii, child. 
To see aI)out his sons and tiock 

If God upon them smiled. 

The child unto his brethren went. 

Where on the ground they sit. 
Their anger rose the child to slay. 

They cast him in a pit ; 
Then Reuben said. ^'It will not do, 

Our brothers blood to shed I'- 
They sold him to the Ishmalites, 

Who then to Egypt tied. 

His ])rethren now took oti' his coat, 

And then they let him go, 
But Avhere the loving cliild had gone, 

Poor Israel didn't know. 
The coat of many colors took. 



^^. 



53^©- 



SHADOWS OF FOE THY. 



45. 



Tliey stained a l)l()()(ly hue. 
And took it to their I'ather-s house. 
Who hade liis son adieu. 

''Tis my son's coat !" poor Jacob said ; 

''Some evil beast have rent 
Him into pieces, there's no doubt ; 

I cannot live content ! 
I>ut he was sold to Potiphar. 

The captain of the liuard. 
Far down in E;;ypt's huid he roamed 

Protected l)y his God. 

Falsely accused by tiiis man's wii'e, 

"He came to lie with me I" 
':<he said in angry ])urninii' wonls ; 

A false — 'tis ])lain to see I 
For this, in prison he was cast, 

Much fa vol" there he found, 
And was not treated as the rest. 

Though yet in prison bound. 

An over-seer he became. 

With bound men in his charge, 
Altliough in prison he was lield. 

Indeed he was at large ; 
To him two prisoners told their dreams, 

He told them what each meant. 
Two days did pass as Joseph said, 

One l)lessed, the oth.er rent I 

After two years King Pharaoh dreamed 

Of l)east, both lean and fat, 
The lean kine did the fat kine eat, 

Who can interpret that? 
Again he dreamed another dream. 



.U^^ 



<5 



:f€^©- — ^^'^^ 

V) 4(5. SHADOWS OF POETRY. 

^ _ 

Of corn, ears full, ears thin, 
The thin, the full ears did devour, 
He trembled now within. 

Magicians, wise men. none can tell 

One meaning of the dreams. 
The thoughts of Pharaoh's butler, then 

On Josejjh shed its beams ; 
There is a man in prison sir ! 

For him I pray you send. 
Interpretations of your dreams 

On him you can depend ! 

"'Send for the pris'ner, luring him fortli ! 

I would to know my fate !'' 
He was then from the prison brouglit 

And spoke at middle rate. 
""Seven years famine you shall have,'- 

He said unto the king, 
'•An awful famine in this land ; 

The next sev'n years shall bring.,. 

Now choose a wise, a discrete man 

For gov'nor ov'r this land ; 
Have chosen men both here and there, 

To save on ev'ry hand ! 
•''No better man than thee, is found. 

Thou art a rnler now. 
The high, the low, the rich and poor, 

All unto thee shall bow !'' 

Arrayed in linen pure and fine, 

A gold ring on his hand. 
A golden chain about his neck, 

He rules in Egypt's land. 
A famine soon spread o'er the land, 

Starvation did abound ; 



g^^^ _ -e^ 



9 SHADOWS OF POETRY. 47 

'i; ■ ' 



«^St? 



The men of Canaan heard that corn 
In Egypt's land was found. 

Then Jacob sent ten of his sons, 

Down to that land for corn, 
Their liocks had almost fa.i.ished out 

For food, that dreary morn. 
They came unto their journey's en^' 

Unto the gov'nor went, 
BoAved faces to the ground — said. 

We are fron^ Jacol) sent. 

And is VAX fatlier yet alive ! 

J\iy brethren — too — are ye ! 
Go bring my father to this' land, 

Tli.'it I his face may see. 
Jacob rejoiced to see his son, 

His lieart with rapture tossed, 
Th^e cliihl whom he liad bade adieu, 

The one lie mourned was lost I 



[Compliment to tlie West Florida Baptist Academy.] 

What is tliine intention to do for the race? 

To teach it true manhood and ignorance 

efface ? 

If tiiat l^e thy motto, just push right ahead. 

For the people are anxious, by you they'll 

be led. 

Long, long, have they waited thy comino to 
see. 
And do earnestly greet thee preparing to be 
A helper, a patron or faithful student," 
Doing all they think of that's helpful and 
i3rudent. 



y 48^ SHAl)()]yS OF POETRY. (jj 

Raise hi<ih thy banner, march jovially on 
And thou shalt have many a true daughter 
and son, 
Who shall in the future be stars in tliy crown. 
Brilliant gems of the race and the pride 
of a town. 

We l)id thee go onward, do all in rhy pow'r 

To uplift thy people from basement to 

tower, 

And teaciiing the Negro he must bravelv 

fight, 

To be truly enlightened as well as the white. 



[The apparent death of a boy after leaving Pollard, 

Alabama.] 
He left and went to Pensacola, 

By riding in an old gondola. 
With grain enough into his mola, 

Satchel gone ahead ; 
And now he comes into the city. 

He's whistling one dramatic ditty. 
Two weeks passed, then what a pity. 

Struggling in the bed. 

Come ! come ! they called unto their neighbor, 

For God's sake, hero lend us your laV)or ! 
His auntv is a Knight of Tabor, 

Smallest in the band ; 
They — rushing o'er the plank walk lightly. 

Near by the gas jets burning In-ightly, 
One to the wires is running sprightly. 

Paper in her hand. 

By this time was the doctor turning. 

Near where the corner light was ):)urning, 

Alas ! the boy had quit his spurning, 
On a little bed : 



:S^- 



--3-^ 



SJ&^ ■ ^^ 

9 SHADOWS OF POETRY. 49. & 

^ ; ; (^ 

Ah ! listen to his grandma praying, 

While there the errand girl was staying. 

Near by the bed on whicli he's laying, 
Doctor SRy — he's dead ! 

''It may be my exaggeration. 

We'll find out by examination," 
lie searches for life's situation. 

Found his heart to move ; 
Now their attentions all are blended. 

Finding his life was not yet ended ; 
It was what God for him intended. 

That lie might improve. 

The doctor's skill was put in action. 

To his grandmother's satisfaction, 
Which made that dwelling an attraction. 

He didn't drink the cup : 
Step-father came in with the mother, 

The next came was his only l)rother, 
They did not look for any other, 

Then the boy was up. 

But now they all have spent their money. 

Step-father thinks its nothing funny. 
It took the draining of the honey. 

Made it bitter-sweet. 
Step-father leaves without contention, 

And tries to start a gold invention ; 
The mother stayed to give attention. 

Boy gets on his feet. 

His brother had returned and working. 
Said to himself, I'll quit my shirking. 

For want about my door is lurking. 
There's no time to play. 

He left his girl and off he started, 
He kissed her just before they parted, 

_g^^ _ . _.^^ 



\) 50^ SHJD(>WS OF POETRY. ff 

Swift through the wood the cars they darted, 
He is back to stay ! 

A ticket sent the mother comiiiir, 

With pains and aches her head was drum- 
mine;, 
And to that ill slie vras l:)ecoming. 

Eyes were not in plight. 
But still, ah ! still, her head was achii)g, 

The boy once dead was money making, 
She a nap was quietly taking. 

Shadows fall for night. 

She's sleeping stiP, and in her drea ining. 

And she hears the rain drop's light stream- 
ing. 
And while moon's rays were gently beaming ; 

Just before the morn 
Her nephew on the gate was tapping. 

Which stopped her from her quiet napping. 
Now from herself the sheet unwrapping. 

Headache all was gone. 



FRANK GOODLOW. 



[This piece was written in memory of Frank Good- 
low, son of (reorgia Goodlow of Milton, Fla. He was 
brought from Mobile, Ala. to Fensacola, Fla., by his 
mother, during a spell of sickness; thence to Milton, 
Fla. During his confiiiement, he joined the A. M. 
E. Zion Church and was baptized by Rev. E. J. far- 
ter, who also administered to him the Lord's Supper.] 

Frank Goodlow now has passed away, 
His soul stands dressed in tine array ; 

Left mother, kindred, dearest friends 
And soared where pleasure never ends. 






SHA DO WS OF POE Tit Y. 



He once stood champion in sin, 
In every liattle he wouhl win, 

Ahis I wilii liorror and with dread. 
Consumption phiced him on his bed. 

The doctcn's said he coukl not live, 

He pra.^ed that God wonhl him foririve. 

Until he heard that pardoninii; voice. 
Which made his happy soul rejoice. 

He bore vrith patien.ce ev'ry pain. 
That he, eternal life might iiain. 

He dreads no more the chastening rod, 
For he has made his peace ^vith God. 

He was l)aptized in Jesus' name. 
And helped to spread that mighty fame, 

That Jesus would a soul forgive, 
And let the rebel sinners live. 

He took the sacrament l)elow, 

Christ's death and sufferings to show, 

And let his friends and kindred see. 
That Christ the Lord !iad set him free I 

He raised his voice, said ; ''God I thank. 
That I my Saviour's blood have drank I'' 

Beyond that bright eternal 1)lue, 
Frank takes the sacrament anew. 

To all the friends he leaves liehind, 

His testimony bear in mind. 
That you this brilliant star might meet, 

All robed in white at Jesus' feet. 



-^3^J* 



^iroyC) ^ -e>^5 

^ 52. SHADOWS OF POETRY. 'P 



AUTUMN. 



What means the f allinii; of the leaves, and why 
Have they changed from green, to crimson 
and gold'!' 
And bntter-llies, and hnds, and flowers — 
why die — 
And beauties of hillsides and dells urow 
old ? 
Beauty and nature whisper as they fade, 
"We are footprints of Him, who all Ihings 
made." 

The chilly winds that 'neath the ether floats, 
Sweep fallen leaves across the field in 
gales ; 
With faded flow'rs, they find some place 
remote, 
And have stopped and shrouded hillsides 
and dales. 
Again they whisper — (and deeply appall,) 
Saying, you too — as autumn leaves must 
' fall! 

The piercing thought doth rest upon my 
mind, 
And the mmd that flashes forth and in- 
quires ; 
Shall this form lay silent in dust confined ? 
Forget its hopes — its aims and bright 
desires ? 
Nature whispers, though as a worm thou 
die, 
Thy soul shall spring forth as a butterfly ! 



S 



-■&% 



SHADOWS OF POETRY. 58. (J 

FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 



[Comparing: his advantages and disadvantages with 
those of others — he has never had an equal.] 

]\[aryland — thou hast l)Oi'ne a prince ! 

Thouiih risen from a h)wly Inrtli, 
Sprang' forth with intellectual pow'r 

As bright as e'er was known of earth, 
Tlio' dim at tirst brighter he grew, 

Till all the world had plainly seen, 
A star of African descent, 

Inflated with a silv'ry sheen. 

He traveled on from land to land, 

And shedding forth his l)rilliant rays, 
Contending for the happy hours. 

His race enjoys in modern days ; 
There many nations shook his hand. 

They made him welcome in their ranks, 
They listened to bis silv'ry words. 

On London's pearly river banks. 

The sympathy of nations gained 

Toward his race so hard oppressed ; 
Into this country he returned, 

With his usual fervent zest. 
He then began a lettered sheet 

Which printed in its colors l)right. 
Helping illuminate this land 

With freedom's steady brilliant light. 

To Abram Lincoln first he went. 

To encovirage him in writing — 
An issue that would free the slaves, 

Without the cruel fighting ; 
The issue Abram Lincoln wrote, 

But war sprang into the nation, 



i?©- 



' cy^tij 



54. SirADOWS OF POETRY. 



Which freed raore than four iiiillioii slaves, 
By his famous prochiination. 

The fame of Douglass still shall live 

As Lineoln,Washini;ton and Lee, 
Or any the famous men of earth. 

Among the noble and the free. 
The greatest leader of h' day — 

A leader of his darksome race. 
Has quit this vale of tears and gone 

To meet his Maker face to face. 

And all I methink his Saviour met 

Him smiling, as He bade him come. 
Well done ! my noble son, well done ! 

Enter thine everlasting home ! 
Although thy race doth miss thee much. 

Many shall rise up in thy stead 
With leadership matcliless as thine. 

Yet — thou shalt live tho' thou art dead ! 

Now, who is it will take liis place ? 

Thy chance is better than was his, 
If thou wilt look the way he came, 

Thou wilt say to thy self, it is ! 
Just now take courage — God will help 

Thee be a leader of thy race — 
For thy good works kindness and skill. 

In this world there is plenty space. 

There's more room now than e'er before. 

To show thy manliood in this world ; 
The light breaks forth from every point. 

New views come in and then unfurled. 
And every step to fame you takf^ 

Makes plain another in tiiy sight 
Lift up thy thoughts and march ahead. 

In this progressive age of light. 



G^j 



Ci-V?*^" 



SlfADOlVS OF POETRY, 



■e^a 



55. 



Wlu), who — will volunteer and start, 

The mount to climb tliat Douu'lass soared, 
While -neatli iiis feet the dangers sTood, 

And louder still the thunder roared? 
And yet the noble did not stop, 

He upward soared in manhood's bloom, 
He percdied upon the hifihest peak, 

And tlience, was taken to tlie tomb 



PKOVERBS. 



He that thiidxetli .uid prayeth is not liemmed. 
Who doetli riiilit before God is not con- 
demned. 



He who histon<;ue does not control. 
Should not be on the honor roll ; 

The touijue is wiki and liard to tame, 
Cilovern it — if vou would rise to fame, 



A jay never mates with wrens, 
Neither do swans mate witli h-^ns 



He that has an education, 

Should also have consideration 

If void of this cjualification. 
He should not have a situation 



H" in tlie poetical and musical held 

V(ju ^^ould be a ji;iant. 
Train your mind to become mellow 

And your tingers pliant. 



The wise should i)ay no attention to the fool 
When he presents his ridicule. 



i3a^^ J ^e\^^^ 

56. ■ SHADOW S OF POET RY. ' '^ 

. A Cx\RNAGE ! ! 

[Tlio rity butcher ami a colored drayniaii in Brew- 
ton. Ala. J " I 

On Saturday night, in the montl] of May, 

In the streets of Brewton a black man lay, 
And the ])erpetrator had fled away, • 

Street stained in '.'i-inison red I 
The rocks where lie fell were rough and hoary 

The scene was one that was sad and gory, 
And his comrades fled to rehite the story, 

Of murd'rer and the dead I 

(O Clio I O Clio I sue!) deeds record, 

Of the one who in tragic crimes is lord, 
For every man must have his reward. 

In heaven or in hell I 
The angel of God will record such deeds. 

Make the heart of the wife,the heart tliat 
bleeds. 
The sorrow of mother and children reads, 

The horror in that cell. ) 

Now the coroner on the scene appears. 

While the wife and children lament in tears 
But the fugitive man still had no fears. 

Because his face was white. 
In the country to his people he fled. 

But the black man cold — in the street 
lay dead, 
The blacksdid nothing, but whispering said 

"Such slaughter is not right !"" 

The coroner said — from the knife lie died 
But the murerous man has not been tried, 

By the brighter race he's justi^ed. 
In eountrv and in town. 



■G/% 



9 SHADOWS OF POETRY. 57. 

Z) ■ ■ 

I The officers did not iiive him a chase, 

I And a stain is still left upon their race, 

That time immeasurable, cannot etf'ace, 
Nor jriill the curtain down. 

[A trjulgpdy that ocrured near Xeals T.anding, Fla. 
ill Jiiiie, 1SK9. 'I"ne individual receiving the I'alal 
I strokes was the writer's Iraternal friend.] 

! [prose in vfrse] 

By whites outr.iged, was a woman black, 
iNothiUii; was done — and but little was said 
Hy the I)lacks. Afraid and cow;;rd they I 

were. 
^^'ith tiie excei)tion of one who spoke wliat 
lie tliouiiht was rii>ht. "We should not al- 
low such 
To ii() on without notice ;" said he to one i 

lie thought a friend. To him, he said what j 
should j 

Be done with men that act as vile as they. j 

The one to.whom he s])(jke a traitor proved, j 
And turned to the whiles with all that was ; 
8aid and more ; that they might devise a plan | 
To deprive him of his vitality. 

Out of one hundred l)rutal men united, ! 

About thirty was chosen to deprive 

One body of its soul. Brightly shone the 

moon I 

With its silvery rays, and the stars twinkled ! 
IJke many brilliant diamonds of worth. ] 

Up to his gate they marched in silence deep, | 
Armed with Winciiesters and tilled with rum. 
They halted, and some passed through the 

gateway, 
While othf^rs over the plank fence aliiihted. | 

$ I 



w^^^ . . — — — ^^'^ 

58. SfTADOUS OF POETRY. 



\ 



The hero spranti; to liis feet and in tlie hall 
He walked — within his hand a ])ist()l wavinii' ; 
He said/'Men I crowd nie not to your regret." 

A mile or more away lie the author, 

Quietly reposing-, when awakened 

By the noise of guns like the cracking of 
thorns. 

The next day brought the sad news of death I 

On visiting the scene ; found the victim 

Into atoms pierced, by flying lead. 

All aimed and fired at once; when down he 
faints ; 

Quickly arising as if dipped in his idciod ; 

Down the steep back st(?ps he went with his 
. life 

Departing in bright stems. He by moon- 
light was seen 

And by the angels of hell was followed. 

Down 'mong the corn like a shadow he went, 
While out poured volumns of smoke and 

lead : 
O ! dreadful scene ! There he speechlessly lay. 
His lace to the ground — his iieart pouring 

out the 
Last drop of its blood ! A sinner sleepeth I 
By the way of the house returned the mob 
And said to a woman therein, we've piled 
Your meat! Away they march to a dwelling 
The home of another they sought to kill ; 
But he was too sharp ; for Jiis life he fled, 
While they another life still sought to end 
Their evil minds to ease and satisfy. 

But he through the cornfield silently fled, 
Leaving behind, his dear little sleeping babes. 



% 



o^E 



% 

\ 



SHADOW S of' POETRY. " oO.^^^'S 

In rushed the mob, cailino' their desired prey 
I With harsh voices. But awav he had oone 

, Throujih the cornfield to a new buildini:;— 

iiis own. 
; The iittle ones screamed and loavini;- the 

house 
In the iiands of that nuird'rous crowd. 
One said. 'Met's kill them;' otiiers said, "not so 
For they are iiarmless, weak and pitifuK" 
': ''He is ^'one," said they, ^"and cannot be found. 

'To him that bids hijihest his tluiiirs must uo !" 
Oil" starts tlie auction with laii-Jiter'and 
shout ! 

Here ^-oes a clock that is costly and fine. 

They l)id ^non^- themselves and one of them 
wins. 

In the yard it flies, like the next article 

To the highest bidder tossed ; then the yard 
Oiiu^ht it. And so went the lamps and 'the 

plates ; 
Here uoes the rordvcr to the heap ; the olass 
The ])itcher. the 1k)w1, the buckets and books' 
The hat-rack, basket, stove, kettle, broom' 
All find their way to a heap in the vard. ' 
Thus went all the furniture in cyclones 
Tyrannical, to lift the rai;ing flames. 

The house, too, was consumed and the dark 
suKtke 

Went up toward hcav'n in the presence of 

(.jod 
As a strong witness against them in their 
Tyrannical career. And methink that 
(iod with frowns look down upon them and 
marked 
1 Their destiny ; while they leave and aoproach 



^Pg,^ ^^2^1? 



fiO. SHADOWS OF POETRY 



t 



The new l)uildin,p^ of him they soualit to kill. 
Soon by fire it was con.snnied and in I 

Ashes it lay, while tiie little children 
And their father hid a1x)ut in the thick 
(yorn to preserve their lives. Tlie father with 
His ii'un was afraid to try to protect 
His two honses and his iirtle chihh'CMi. 

(() God I with pity, look upon the p( or 1 
Tlie oppressed I and say how lon<i- it shall last ! 
How Ion,:;- shall the Ne^^ro be thus butchered ? 
Every one that breaketh thy laws shall 
Be condemned, for thine eye beliokleth ev'ry 
Act of man, and thy hand shall every 
Wronin; aven<2;e. ) This man was apprised of 
A}jproach and sent his wife awav a day 
Beforehand, and now, fortunately, she 
iSees not iier possessions reduced to nauiiht. 
And her little ones with no protection. 
In night-clothes, hidiuii; hither and thither. 

Just across the road from the l)uildinii first 
Destroyed, stood a little store, in which two 
Ladies of color lie sleepins,'. Their souls 
Were quietl}' reposing- and thought of nc 
Approaching danger ; but ah ! upon the 
Piazza the tramp of feet was then heard, 
And rough voices calling aloud. ''Open 
The door !"" calling tiiem by name — l)eating 
On the door like wild n)en. The i)oor women 
Like something frantic, was compelled to open 
The door at once ! and then fell in the hands 
Of helTs own outrageous and murderous sons. 

On the following day came to the scene. 
The author, who saw the smoking timber 
That served as pillars for the buildings, 

(g=>^ ■ *a^^\ 



SlLinOWS OF POETRY . 61. (3 

And talked with the ladies who were not yet 
Over their tViiiiit and stupor of that niirht. 
We turned awD.y, went back a mile or more 
To the scene where Noah Whitas hiy dead ! 
Awful siglit I bloated, bruised and pale was he. 

Rlood here and there 0!i tJie floor, r. ud the 
House full of holes made by the buIletvS of 

rifles. 
He was buried next day by a host 
Of his fraternal friei^ds who mourned his loss. 

■K * ^- * * 'k * 

Around the 2;rave thev marched retailed in 

full. 
Sweetly they san<i' over the u'rave as if 
Atiii'olic voices had burst fortii in sonii; 
It was the last respect that they to him 
Oould iDay. Three links upon his white 

tomb-stone 
Preserves the memory of Friendship, Love 

and Truth. 



A NARRATIVE. 



[An onli-asfc- on A .:•:)-/, mericaiis at Defiuiiak 
Springs, Fia.,'l890.] 

[prose in verse.,] 
Twas on a bright day in April, when the 
Thought of spi'ing-time had tilled our souls 

with joy. 
And our minds had been liglited up with new 
Hope, on hearing the beautiful music — 
The lectures — stories, solos and duets — 
Ai the closing of that grand Ohatauqua. 
The music floating from that beautiful 
And charming little lake had filled ev'rv 



Q^ 



gN^ ^^Si 



S^- — ■ ■ ^^ 

62^ SHADOWS O F POE TRY. \ 

Soul witli deliiiht. Now it's late eventide, 

And all are again called into tlie new 

Tabernacle to witness the magic 

Scenery. All was grand, interesting 

And amusing. All is over and friends 

Bade friends farewell ! All are ready to ta]\0 

Their h'ave, and some go in every direction, 

While the mass marches slowly down toward 

The depot. A little black speck here, tliere. 

And yonder ; rei)resented the few l)lacks 

That seemed to decorate that vast nnnihe]\ 

More than an hour behind, was tlie Wc st bo.ind 

Train, for which tlie crowd so anixons!\ waited. 

A few blacks walked into the sitting room 

As all railroad passengers rightly do. 

In came crowds of Negro misanthro{)ists 

And said ; "What \\v yur nigers ur dom 

In here f (iral>bed and I'oiced out of doors 

Were tliey, and their ladies disrespected. 

One of the waiters of a hotel, of 

That place, with a piece of broom-handle in 

His hand — was seen by another portion 

Of that vile gang; wuich said, ''See that niger 

Has a club ! Do yon want to use that club 

On us I" Like tigers, upon him, they sprang. 

Beating him unmercifully, while the 

Moon and stars seemed to shed rays of jiity 

Upon the Negro who was in that 

Instant, so brutally imposed. In a 

Few moments the writer, being weary. 

Started to the telegraph office to 

Inc[ire what time the late train would arrive. 

He was accosted by these ruffians ; 

And in five minutes another Negro 

Was accosted, and severely beaten ; 

And still another was beaten and chased 



gN3- • ■ ' -e-^ 



P SHADOWS OF POETRY. (}^ 

With dO;rt;s — l)adly bitten and roiiiihly used. 

Their deliglit was turned into sorrow and 

Weeping ! Their hiuiiliter into tears, for they 

Had no wav to protect themselves — being 

Entirely surrounded by enemies — 

Out numbering them one hundred to one. 

Their only protection was a gallant 

White ladv wlio went to the rescue 

Of the one last mentioned and succeeded 

In saving his life — so pitiful were 

His cries. All this received for our best 

Bohaviour. Even this is a mild foraii 

Of treatment compared with the liurning and 

Lyncliing we read of in almost ev'ry 

Issue of the newspapers. Burning and 

Lynching witliout trial, judge or jury. 

Right in the midst of the teaming host 

Of our white Christian friends, who seem to 

Regard it as the loss of so many 

Sparrows. The so called ministers of Christ* 

Are preaching to thousands daily, but fail 

To see or mention this enormous sin 

Into which this Soutliland has so deeply 

Plunged. These ministers can preach for 

Hours, to colored congregation without 

Saying brethren or sisters. How dwelleth 

Within them the love of Christ? In many 

Places Negroes are dared to speak for their 

Rights or to speak their candid opinions. 

No protection in courts of law, colored 

Jurors never impaneled ; wh'te men 

Who cannot read their own names in letters 

As large as a horse, must decide whether 

The Negro be innocent or guilty. 



*Those that careth not for the welfare of their col- 
ored brethren 



Bj^?^- 






^ 



€^o ■ — -©^35 

^ SHADOWS OF POETRY. 

THE FOOL AND THE WISE MAN. 



A fool is generally known by his threats 
But, to him, the wise pays no attention 

And goes on — for the fools words he forgets. 
Striving to plan some genius invention, 

Or to leave some foot-marks in the right way 
That leads to life and everlasting day. 

By using many words, the fool is known. 
He knows not how, nor when, nor where 
to speak — 
By hurling his curses 'tis jjlainly sliown 
His wisdom's shallow and his judgment's 
weak. 
The wise man's words are few and well chosen. 
And his path to temper's heat is frozen. 

Ev'ry fool may not use the words that curse, 
Nor ev'ry wise man run the same channel. 

But this or that fool may do things that's 
worse. 
And thus cause the jury to impannel. 

The world is full of fools — one may l)e me — 
But that I leave foi other men to see. 



HOW TO MAKE THE WOKLD RESPECT 
YOU. 



Learn to think and put your thoughts in 
action. 

Like the magnet you will have attraction. 
First learn to have self respect^ 

The next — control good manners ; 
Be loyal — your land protect, 



-^^ 



^^s^ 

SHADOWS OF POETRY. 65. (P 

And raise aloft its l:)aniiers ! 
Be trusty, be gallant, be true when tried, 
Respect and honor will not be denied. 

Treat ev'ry man as you would be treated, 

Never let your wrong deeds be repeated, 
If you're not respected then. 

Doing still the best you can — 
Of the world respect demand ! When ? — 

When you've proved yourself a man. 
And then, to you, the world respect will give 

And treat vou as a man where e'er vou live. 



A MAN IS SIMPLY A MAN. 



One man thinks he's better than another. 

Truly, truly, it is sometimes a fact, 
lied man, white man, is the black man's 
1)rother, 
So take them as a whole ; watch how they 
act 
And just weigh each man and see how he'll 
scan. 
You'll find that a man is simply a man. 

True manhood is not confined to a race, 
Nor character to the color of skin ; 

Debauch'ry on ev'r^ race leaves its trace, 
So, in blood — haliits — all races are km. 

A race may intrude all others it can 
It will find a man is simply a man. 

Sir ! if a black man is educated, 

He is not better than some that are white ! 
Or if l)y riches he's aggravated, 



i^^^' 



^ 6(). SHADOWS OF POETRY. (p 

(a 



V 



It should only prompt him to do what's 
right. 
Good, bad, are found in every race or elan, 
So a man, you'll find, is simply a man. 



THE STOLEN KISS. 



Expression of my love, a kiss. 

Why should I be disdained for this'^ 

Oh I why not now the same return, 
And let affection in thee burn? 

Canst thou dispise one for his love. 
My gentle patient little dove? 

Tell him who loves thee in the light. 
That he is precious in thy sight. 

I'm sorry that thy heart is sad, 

Mine own by kissing is made glad ; 

Come lean thy head upon my breast. 
And ask of me thy fond request. 



LOVE. 

Pure love has no faults 

Nor 'tis not a fault to love. 
The weak, the strong; the foolish, the wise, 

All bend to her control alike. 



Dearest take this flow'r. 

Take it — think of me ! 
Think thou ev'ry hour. 

Of one who gave it thee. 

Then when I shall leave thee, 
Press it to thy breast, 

Grant that I shall be, 
Into thy love caressed. 



«/^^ 



??So 



3 



SHADOWS OF POETRY. 6^ 

Tlioii hast no fault that I can see ; 

Or blind to faults, my eyes must be 
Or love my very soul 

And heart, now has control. 



^sB 



S^ 



Good bye ! 

You will meet many — fairer and gay, 
But trust me, from thy love will I not strav. 



My very soul doth love you, 

For naught is prized above you, 

No ! not ev'n my life ! 
Dear ! read this not with spurning. 

Instead, my love returning ; 
Will you be my wife? 



TRUE LOVE. 



True love is borrowed from above, 

Of God ; where all is peace and love ; 
And ev'ry mortal that partakes 

One sip from that overflowing cup 
Tho' slumbering, when he awakes. 

Will find his heart is lighted up ! 
For love controls the heart and mind 

And leaves a sightless trace behind. 

When one doth from this fountain drink. 

He finds he's standing on a brink. 
And pleasure with her wings outspread, 

Tells him into her palace walk ; 
She tells him have no fear or dread. 

Of love to sing, of love to talk. 
He finds himself absorbed in love 

Which God doth lend from heav'n above. 



d^^'^-" 



°^^ (^ .SHADOWS OF POETRY. '^ 

My heart does with emotion beat, 
And love controls its plaintive task. 

Within, thine image is complete, 
Thy hand, through life, is all I ask. 



ACKOSTICS 

God having blessed thee, to hold up His name 
Earnestly tearh and you still spread His frnie : 
Onward ye brave! you're a leader indeed ! 
Reach out thy hand — lead thy feeble aleiifr, 
Gather God's' elects, the weak and the str(uiu:, 
Entreat them to come — the gospel to heed. 

Work for the Master till time is no more. 
You '11 rest in peace on that beautiful shcre. 
Lead on thy people and Jesus adore. 
In storm and in sunshine, whatever assail. 
Earnestly fight and for Gcd you'll prevail. 

Christ is your captain, so hold up thy flrg! 
Lean on His word — and let no soldier lag; 
Immergedin battle, you '11 conquer at last, 
No roadway no rough, than that you have past. 
Time with "her brightness a shadow will cast — 
On your foes; then soon soon that heav'nly dove, 
Now wafteth thy spirit above. 

Deo volente the wall shall come down, 
Drive on God's, horses and win thee a crown. 



Joy — may it be thine. 
On land, sea, at home; 
So the sun may shine 
Ev'ry where you roam. 
Pretty, pleasant, thou. 
How matchless thy smiles; 
It seems just now,. just now. 
None thy robes defiles. 
Ever to thee true love shall be. 



e'^ 



€>o- 



SHADOWS OF POETRY 



fi9. 



May [ have a kiss from thee? 
Afterwards thy h)ve to be? 
Remember — my love is thine, 
Your dear form — shall it be mine? 



Love to you and no one else, sweet! 
Unless you turn away from me 
Love then some other strong ana free, 
And fail with me, some jjla(;e to meet. 



Ever to thee — 

Love from me is pure and free! 

Loveth thou me? 

Ere long I'll be — 

Near bj — thy sweet face to see 



Say is it I, that you love best? 

You know dear, that you are my choice, 

Love you must and hear my voice; 

Vain to thee, may seem my request — 

I have much affection for thee. 

And hope for aye thy smiles to see. 



O ! what a glorious pleasant girl ! 
Come and look at this toy, 
'Twill be a lasting joy ; 
And pleasure 'twill unfurl ! 
Violet — daisy blue, 
Its lovely — lively too: 
As you see, 'twill be! 



Be of good cheer and hold your own, dear 
liemember I love thee, and ne'er fear 
Even the darkest cloud! 
Neither faint n>r fall by the wayside. 
Do the right and God will be thy guide, 
And honor be thy shroud. 



.'?. 



UN3- 



-O^^fcr:; 



'{^^B-- 



e^^ 

SHADOWS OF POETRY. 



Do the right and trust the Lord, 
Ever leaving on record, 
Love within thy lieart for me, 
I will give my heart to thee, 
And will love thee hard and free. 



Beauteous violet, daisy blue, 

Envied by many a flower; 

Use^^'ul, loving, kind hearted and true, 

Love buds on every bower 

An angel thou art now — and will be — 

Heaven longs thy smiling face to see. 



Just now, I'd smile to see thy face. 
Under thy curls so full of grace; 
Lines — lines like those can never tell. 
In words my dove, how thee I love! 
And how to thee, myself I'd sell. 



' c>&)i 



ENDORSEMENTS. 



Whereas we have listened with profound pleasure 
to the reading of the poems by Mr. R. L. Perkins en- 
titled The kShadows of Poetry on the diiferent sub- 
jects of the sacred scriptures, therefore we take great 
pleasure in recommending it to the favorable con- 
sideration of,, i he members of the various churches, 
and the ministers at large. Signed on behalf of 

the Florida Conference. J. H. Manley, Sec'y 

T. H. LoMAX, D. D. Presiding Bishop. 
March 2nd 1896, Pensacola, Fla. 



MoNTGOiMERY, Ala, Feb'v 29th. 
I have examined Shadows of Poetry Part first, 
written by Prof. R. L. Perkins. They are specimens 
from his new hymnal and I consider them as being 
worthy of a place in the library of any person. I 
recommend the same as being worthy of adoption by 
the A. M. E. Zion Church, as a gospel Hymn l)ook for 
the Sunday School Department of said church. 

J. W. Alstork, D. D., General Steward. 



Charlotte, N. C. March 2, 1896. 

To ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN ! 

This is to certify that I have examined the book of 
poems of which Prof. R. L. Perkins is the author and 
I find in it poems which are very creditable. The 
majority of the poems are of a religious character 
and suited to be sung in meters and well adapted to 
the church services. Mr. Perkins is a man of much 
IDromise and is deserving of the encouragement of all 
lovers of Negro i^rogress and admirers of genius and 
special gifts by men of the race. Mr. Perkins is yet a 
young man whose educational advantages have been 
limited, but he is still striving to thoroughly educate 
himself and thus become well equipped for the ex- 
ercise of that special gift with which he seems to be 
specially gifted with. I recommend this book to all 
who are interested in race progress. 

G. W. Clinton, Editor Star of Zion. 



Montgomery, Ala., Feb'y 29th 1896. 
I linve read with iireat profit the Shadows of Poetry 
Part First written by Prof. P. L. Perkins. This is 
only a part of the Hymnal wliich will soon appear 
and is destined to take its place among- tlie other 
j^reat Hymnals of to-day. I commend tlie work and 
predict a gireat fnture for tlie writer. 

Respecti'nlly, 

v. ¥. Jokes, 
P. E. of the Montgomery District of ''. E. Gluirch. 



I have read with care and examinee closely the 
little book of poems written bv Prof. P. L. Perkins 
and find it to be a great production. I liave no hesita- 
tion in saying some of tlie thoughts advanced therein 
are as sublime, profound, deep and beautiful as any 
v.ritten by Wesley, Watts, Whittier, Longfellow, 
Byron or any of the other poets whom it has b3en n>y 
pleasure in read and I have read them all. I there- 
fore hi^artly re^ommond it to the publi •. A careful 
perusual of its contents will convince any oiic rot par- 
tial to the truth here stated. 

W.lf. Smitii, 
Pastor Old Ship A. M. E. Zion Church, Montgomery, 
Ala. March 2nd 1896. 



I desire to express my great satisfaction with the 
raste, skill and wisdom of the work. I commend it to 
all well thinking people and wish it success. 
Prof. J. W Murray March 2nd 1896 Pensacola, Fla. 

These i^ublications seem to me to be of great value, 
and merit tlie hearty appreciation of all who are in- 
terested in the success and welfare of the race. 

Kev. J. H. Manley, D. D., 
Pastor BigZion Church, Pensacola Fla., March 2nd. 



Please take no- 
tice of our secret 
society. We are 
tired seeiiiii our 
pcoi.)Ie go to the 
wliite people and 
l)eg' for assistance 
for the least little 
accident they have 
We have been free 
too long to be call- 
ed beggars, but 
some of us will 
s\ee]) on ovir riglits 
]\v putting off: to- 
day for to-morrow 
and will not sacri- 
iice anything ; '^'nr 
tlieir i n t e r est 
duri!ig tlieir stay 
on earth or save 
tlieir souls when 
they come to die. 
have made suitable sufficiencies to support and 
aid all poor distressed and worthy persons who will 
come and unite witli us known as the Indepondenr 
Order of Sons and Daughters of 8t. i.uke. 

Some of us say O well, I am a christian and tlie 
Lord will provide ; yes God v.'ill do all Hehasproui- 
ised to do, but don't you know that God will not do 
for vou what He has enrbled v->u to do for 




selves? He savs do all vou caji and He will 



your- 
io t!:e 

rest. We hear some old fogies say if I can't b-^ 
a Past Noble Father in the Grand United Order of 
Odd Fellows or a IMark Past and Most Excellent 
Master Mason I won't be anytliing. It is true that 
they are wretches undone to tear dovrn instead ()f 
building up, 

Any one wishing books or cliarts fm* tne above named 
Older n;fiy r.pply to II. A. Dean. S. G. T. M. ct G. D. M, 



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ADVERTISEMENTS. 



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